New exhibit celebrates local war heroes

In the distance, dark skies loomed and thunder rolled as the crowd of more than 100 people, mostly veterans, recited the Pledge of Allegiance and saluted for "The Star Spangled Banner."

By JOEY MILLWOODTimes-News Staff Writer

In the distance, dark skies loomed and thunder rolled as the crowd of more than 100 people, mostly veterans, recited the Pledge of Allegiance and saluted for "The Star Spangled Banner."

The crowd gathered to celebrate a new display unveiled Wednesday at the county's Health and Human Services building in Hendersonville. The walls outside Mike Murdock's Veteran Services office were lined with a vibrant, respectful display of remembrances of local veterans who from World War I to Afghanistan.

Henderson County Manager Steve Wyatt told the crowd a story about growing up as a child with heroes who were World War II veterans. His message to the crowd disclosed the simple reason for the exhibit – one that is all too familiar in a county that honors its veterans every opportunity it gets.

“What's important about this is that we don't forget,” he said.

The crowd dispersed just moments before the rains came. Outside a storm brewed, but inside people lined the halls and walked through history.

Among those checking out the exhibit was James H. Levi. Levi served 38 months during World War II in the U.S. Army in an antiaircraft outfit.

“I see a lot of things that look familiar,” he said about the display.

One of those things was a symbol of the ultimate sacrifice military personnel could make. Included on a list of men who died during World War II was the name of his younger brother, J.C. Levi, who died at the Battle of the Bulge. That list was surrounded by images of people who fought in the war.

“Three brothers went to war and only two came home,” he said with a quiver in his voice. “It brings back a lot of memories.”

James and his older brother, Leo, returned home from the war to Henderson County.

The walls were filled with other names, faces, maps, uniforms and memories. There were letters, helmets, pictures of the HonorAir veterans and so much more memorabilia.

“It's just wonderful,” said Murdock, county veterans' service administrator. “Every time I walk down that hall, I feel like I want to cry.”

His office had more than 2,000 visits last year from veterans and family members of veterans. Thousands of people will get to see the walls every year.

The display was the brainchild of Murdock, Heritage Museum Board Chairman Carolyn Justus and Wyatt.

For Justus, words can't describe the feelings she felt as people flowed through the corridors and emerged into the bright, history-filled hallways.

“I've never done anything in my life I'm prouder of,” she said.

Reach Millwood at 828-694-7881 or at joey.millwood@blueridgenow.com.

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